Certified Recreational Therapist (Park/Rec Specialist III)

Job Announcement

This job opportunity is being re-announced. Applicants who previously applied for this job do not need to re-apply.

Plans, coordinates, supervises and evaluates a comprehensive program of therapeutic recreation activities for a specialized population of individuals, 18 and older, with a variety of diagnoses and multiple disabilities in an adult day health care center. Provides guidance and supervision to senior program assistants and program assistants through the performance management process. Manages a comprehensive volunteer program which includes requesting, interviewing, screening and matching volunteer applicants with program needs. Provides input into the development of interdisciplinary treatment plans, activity plans and process instructions for all therapeutic activities with input from families, staff, clients, community and volunteers. Incumbent will need to meet all licensing requirements for adult day health care including CPR, First Aid, minimum of eight (8) hours of in-service per year and any other training as deemed necessary. 

Illustrative Duties

General duties 
Conducts programs and service delivery evaluations using a variety of tools;
Identifies deficiencies, recommends revisions, and implements recommendations using innovative strategies;
Develops and maintains community and corporate partnerships and sponsorships or grants to provide services, funding, equipment and/or facilities;
Develops and implements community outreach plans that target underserved populations to increase overall program participation;
Recruits, trains, and schedules staff and volunteers;
Plans, directs, and evaluates the work of subordinate staff;
Participates in the development of long- and short-term goals, operating objectives, and strategies and implementation plans to improve service delivery and maximize the efficient use of parklands and recreation facilities;
Completes and evaluates various financial, administrative, and statistical reports from daily operations;
Develops and submits annual operating budgets and monitors revenue/expenditure levels against approved budget and targeted revenue plans;
Ensures compliance with financial guidelines and reconciles revenue and expense reports;
Ensures accountability for fixed assets;
Ensures that all facilities meet quality standards for housekeeping, cleanliness, and maintenance;
Ensures that facilities and grounds are free of safety hazards, that appropriate safety measures are implemented, and that all federal, state, and county safety standards are applied and satisfied;
Develops and implements security guidelines to protect park facilities and the public against fire, vandalism, and other threats;
Authorizes the procurement of supplies, equipment, or services;
Interacts with citizens and community organizations regarding park use, maintenance, and operations, and ensures resolution of customer complaints and concerns;
Acquires and posts all current certificates, licenses, permits, and operating requirements;
Reviews and makes recommendations on plans for new park or facility constructions;
Ensures compliance with established operating procedures;
Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with the public and County staff;
Prepares and reviews contracts for facility use and contractual services.

Operations
Ensures accountability for resale inventories;
Conducts and/or reviews initial client intake, assessment and general functioning screening of children, teens, and adults with disabilities to determine appropriate treatment protocol for each assigned client;
Ensures best practices and protocols are followed by staff through training and assessment of work.

Programming 
Schedules, plans, organizes, supervises, and evaluates a diverse selection of activities within the components of leisure that include after-school programs, community integration services, service-learning programs, character education activities, family activities, community outings, socials, hobby enrichment classes, leisure counseling and coaching, and therapeutic activity interventions;
Meets regularly with citizen advisory groups to discuss community needs, evaluates feasibility of suggestions, and incorporates viable proposals into programming;
Provides coordination and support of special activities and events.

Management
Completes and maintains participant-related documents (assessment, service plan, progress notations) and adheres to agency's policies regarding information contained within the documents;
Participates in interdisciplinary human service planning teams;
Works with other human service agencies to provide appropriate intervention strategies;
Coordinates with health, social services, legal, financial, and housing professionals to arrange and conduct special programs. 

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of the principles and practices of parks and recreation center operations,
maintenance, and management;
Knowledge of group work methods and activity facilitation;
Knowledge of financial management controls relating to budgeting and accounting of
expenditures;
Ability to manage a large complex operation with extensive capital equipment, property value, and inventory;
Ability to motivate and supervise staff;
Ability to schedule, coordinate, and prioritize the work of a diverse group of employees;
Ability to evaluate employees' performance against comprehensive performance standards;
Ability to prepare clear, concise financial and administrative reports;
Ability to analyze programs and procedures and to evaluate their performance against established objectives;
Ability to prepare and adhere to budgets;
Ability to use a personal computer, applicable software, and peripheral equipment;
Ability to develop and implement effective management practices;
Ability to develop and implement staff training programs;
Ability to plan, develop, and administer recreation programs and community service activities to meet the special needs of at-risk populations and communities;
Ability to maintain effective relationships with staff, citizen groups, and the public;
Ability to work independently using sound judgment in the execution of the position's duties. If assigned to teen/senior positions:
Knowledge of the various theories of human development;
Knowledge of youth-related risk factors and early identification criteria. If assigned to therapeutic recreation positions:
Knowledge of the various theories of human development;
Knowledge of the principles and practices of therapeutic recreation and disability issues;
Knowledge of the specific limitations associated with various disabilities;
Knowledge of OSHA/Universal precaution standards;
Working knowledge of general medical and psychiatric terminology. 

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: 
(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for “Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to”)
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in recreation and park, therapeutic recreation, horticulture, agriculture, cultural and historic resources or other closely related field as appropriate to the duties of the position; Plus three years of experience in park or recreation-related work, as applicable to the position, including one year of supervisory experience.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Contingent upon the area of assignment, some positions within this class may require specific certification(s) prior to employment and/or the ability to acquire necessary certification(s) within a specified time period following employment. The certifications are identified in the position description and employment advertisement.
 

• Driver's license (required)
• First Aid, CPR, and AED certifications (Required within 60 days of appointment)
• Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Certification (Required within 1 year of appointment)

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, a Child Protective Services Registry check, a driving record check, and sanction screening to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
 

• Master’s degree in public health, public administration or related field.
• Certification by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, or eligibility for certification within 1 year. 
• Experience with the following: community-based recreation programming; community and/or senior center operations and prevention oriented programs for youth and older adults; community-based recreation programming for individuals with disabilities; supervising recreation employees; conducting outreach and programming to diverse cultures; outcome-based recreation programming; working with self-directed teams; managing multiple programs and projects; coordinating volunteer programs and services; and developing partnerships, sponsorships or collaborative programs and services with public and private agencies.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Employee is required to walk, stand for long periods of time (1 to 2 hours), bend, sit, kneel, reach, climb stairs, push, pull and participate in recreational therapy. Uses hands to grasp, handle or feel. Visual acuity is required to read data on a computer monitor. Ability to operate keyboard driven equipment. Able to carry equipment and assist with client transfers from sitting to standing and lift up to 30 pounds. Position frequently communicates and must be able to exchange accurate information with others verbally and in writing. Ability to drive a vehicle. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.
 
SELECTION PROCEDURE: 
Panel Interview and may include a practical exercise.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity
 
Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.  
 
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov. EEO/AA/TTY.